Braves expected to pursue Burnett and Dempster
Posted on: November 10, 2008 4:06 pm
The
Braves still believe they have the best offer out there for
Jake Peavy, even as some people in baseball believe that the
Cubs are the favorites to land the San Diego right-hander. But even as they try for Peavy, the Braves are also making plans to go after other starting pitchers.
That includes free-agent right-handers
A.J. Burnett and
Ryan Dempster, according to sources.
Burnett, who opted out of his contract with the
Blue Jays, is expected to have many suitors. The
Yankees, who have more money to spend than anyone else, are sure to be involved.
Dempster is believed to favor a return to the Cubs, who would like to keep their 17-game winner.
But the Braves are serious about upgrading their rotation, as general manager Frank Wren told my colleague Scott Miller at last week's GM meetings in California.
"We need a couple of starters," Wren said. "Maybe even more than that. I'd like to beef up our rotation. That's the area we've been known for."
Wren wouldn't talk specifics, but people who have talked to the Braves say that only
CC Sabathia is definitely out of their price range. The Braves aren't interested in Ben Sheets, but sources said they will talk about any other free-agent starters.